Chapter 112

Chapter 112

'Ugh!'

Duke Aziz snapped back to reality, recalling that day's memory.

Was it because of the too horrifying experience?

He had even erased the name Dwener from his mind.

That's why he couldn't recall it.

"Are you alright? You're sweating..."

"Yes, yes! I'm fine, Your Majesty. It's just that I haven't been able to sleep well lately due to being so busy..."

"Tsk tsk. No matter how busy, one must sleep well. Stop by my pharmacy and pick up some medicine."

"...Your grace is boundless."

"Anyway, he turned out to be much more competent than expected."

How did Dwener come to be perceived as a competent individual?

There were several reasons for this:

First, he noticed the demon attack and evacuated the students.

- Before Rodelin went to fight Lérang, she had instructed the student council. Since no one else was there at the time, Dwener ended up issuing the evacuation order.

Second, he quickly sent a message to summon knights from nearby territories. Lucia, who was on her way to the academy, received the message and arrived at the scene first.

- He moved quickly only because he wanted to save his own life. Perhaps it was the fly's instinct for survival kicking in.

And third, the biggest reason Dwener received praise for being competent:

"Not only that. He even honored the forgotten sacrifice of a hero."

The act of commemorating Luterus and the parrot's sacrifice and erecting a statue.

"Being ready to openly acknowledge a student's death and take responsibility, even at the risk of being expelled from the chancellor's position... Not just anyone can do that, right?"

He simply followed Zero's advice.

Despite such a (?) misunderstanding, it was undeniable that Dwener was evaluated as competent.

By now, Duke Aziz could grasp the situation.

'He called us to praise.'

Duke Luke for Lucia and Rodelin's achievements, and himself for recommending Dwener.

That's why he was here.

'Well, it's not just for that reason, I guess.'

Such a cunning emperor. There must be a hidden reason.

The emperor's words continued.

"The added saying was even more remarkable. To bear disgrace is the true honor. It's the finest adage of our times, isn't it?"

...This too was merely following Zero's words, but those unaware of the truth had no choice but to believe it.

Duke Aziz's mind whirled.

The demon's shard incident. He had been briefed about what happened.

The demon's defeat, the discovery of the corpse, the youngest of the Lucid family accusing the eldest in a major event.

The process and outcome of constructing a statue in the academy to honor the hero.

At that time, he was annoyed for judging rashly just because Dwener was a parachute...

"Yes, Your Majesty! Dwener enjoys literature and the arts. But I never knew he was capable of this."

"Exactly. It's not easy to write such an adage without a love for literature."

"He surely wouldn't be able to match Your Majesty. If Dwener saw Your Majesty's literary talent, he would be amazed."

"Ha, this man. What would that make Chancellor Dwener then?"

The emperor's praise followed by Duke Aziz's flattery.

Now, a question mark appeared above Duke Luke's head.

To bear disgrace is the true honor?

'Isn't that... something Rodelin said? Why is it known as something Chancellor Dwener said?'

Did Rodelin persuade him with words she heard from the chancellor?

But there was no sign of that.

If anything, that Dwener fellow must have heard it from Rodelin.

He had much to say, but Duke Luke decided to keep his mouth shut.

Not only because he wasn't sure, but because it was a case where the Lucid family intervened to protect Luterus's honor after Rodelin accused Lucia.

To argue and risk exposing Rodelin's scheme was not worth it.

It was just a matter of interpretation, but there was nothing to gain from revealing it was done intentionally.

'It's best to let it go.'

Above all, he did not want to imprint Rodelin's name in the emperor's mind.

Even though he was always loyal to the emperor, he did not wish to involve a child still attending the academy.

Thus, Duke Luke decided to remain silent.

"If we do not accept, we are to deal with Erosion on our own, then."

"Exactly."

"...Impudent."

A subtle anger emanated from Duke Luke.

And this was no different for the emperor and Duke Aziz.

'If it weren't for Erosion, we could have unified the continent by now.'

To see those who had been bowing their heads for hundreds of years suddenly strut around proudly at the appearance of Erosion was intolerable. But.

"The disadvantage is on our side, so we have no choice."

"The scholars are doing their best to research ways to eliminate Erosion, so let's just be patient for a while."

Erosion was a terrifying disease.

It turned healthy land into barren ground where not even a single blade of grass could survive.

They wanted to crush the Holy Kingdom right away, but it was time to be patient.

The empire was not so foolish as to be consumed by simple rage and spoil everything.

"That seems to be the case. I trust you now understand the reason I called you here."

To persuade other nobles at the noble conference in two days.

That was their role.

"It's important to instill the perception that the academy is safe."

"In case of an emergency, we must ensure that the children will not be taken as hostages. We'll have to devise some safeguards for that."

The emperor nodded.

"I'll take care of the preparations. I trust you will handle the rest well. See you all in two days then."

They left the room with a firm escort from the knight.

Once again facing the long corridor.

Only the sound of their footsteps quietly echoed.

'Ah, that stubborn man. Would it kill him to have a conversation?'

Duke Aziz grumbled internally.

There had been times like this before, and he had often initiated conversation, but each time Duke Luke had shown discomfort.

As he continued to grumble internally.

"You're quite lucky."

Duke Aziz was taken aback.

The rock... no, Duke Luke had spoken.

"Yes?"

"You're quite lucky. Both in the past and now... It's quite strange, isn't it?"

It was a clear sneer.

For Duke Luke, who valued honor, to sneer at someone.

To an ordinary person, it would be equivalent to a severe insult.

"Ha, Duke Luke. What do you mean by that...?"

"Weren't you the same when you dealt with the Lester family? You easily found evidence of treason that no one else could find."

"..."

"To find something that we had all been searching for so desperately... It's really strange how lucky you are, isn't it?"

The chilling gaze of Duke Luke.

Duke Aziz shrank slightly but then straightened his shoulders.

He too was a duke.

Even if the Lucid family was renowned, he had no right to belittle him.

'I'm not the same as before. I must give him a piece of my mind!'

Duke Aziz adjusted his posture.

Suddenly, he doubled over.

"Ah, Duke! You're right. I was indeed lucky. To have such fortune come my way, the heavens must have looked after me."

"..."

"To have secured a position among the pillars of the empire, even now it feels unbelievable. But it's reassuring to have a steadfast duke like you. I always trust, follow, and rely on you. And also..."

Of course, what came out of Duke Aziz's mouth was extreme flattery.

Duke Luke was.

Truly a fearsome man.

--TL Notes--

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